Steam generating plant



4 Sheets- Sheet 1 T. J. REES STEAM GENERATING PLANT Filed July 19, 1940 Oct. 27, 1942.

WHW we n N s2 RM# 19% NNM Oct. 27, 1942. T. J. REES STEAM GENERATING PLANT Filed Judy 19, 1946 4 sheetvsheet 2 0t.27, 1942. T J REES 2,299,849

STEAM GENERATING PLANT Filed July A19, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 3 @fig- Oct. 27, 1942. T. J. REES l 2,299,849

STEAM GENERATING PLANT Y Filed July 19, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 4 /I/a/f/'sfs dif/55,

Patented Oct. 27, 1942 UNITED STTES PATENT FFICE ystarmi/r GENERATING PLANT `Thomas J. Rees, Reno, Nev. Application July 19, 1940, serial No. 346,438

(cl. fic- 46) 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a steam generating plant designed primarily for attachment to and for generating and supplying an energy medium to a steam turbine, but it is to be understood` that a plant, in accordance with this invention is adapted for use in any connectionkfor which it is found applicable, by way of example for attachment to and for supplying the energy medium to a reciprocatory engine.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as` hereinafter set forth, a steam generating plant especially adaptable for use in connection with aeroplane and submarine purposes where compactness in form is essential.

The invention further aims to providey in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a steam generating plant Whose cycle of operation is internal, whereby when installed in an aeroplane its power will increase in proportion as the atmospheric pressure diminishes and enable the aeroplane to operate in the stratosphere, wherey stormy and icy conditions never prevail.

The invention further aims to provide, in aV manner as hereinafter set forth, an energy medium generating plant whereby when installed in a submarine it will reduce the weight of the latter, as it overcomes the necessity of employing the heavy storage batteries now used, and further the energy medium generated will not have any injurious effect on human life when the vessel is submerged.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a generating plant for the economical use of hydrogen and oxygen gases asl fuel in the generation of steam to provide an energy medium for use in conjunction with a steam turbine or reciprocatory en` gine.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a steam generating plant including a pair of fuel lines, one for hydrogen and the other for oxygen for supplying said fuels to a combustion'cliamber to be combusted, a Water conducting means for supplying water to an expansion chamber for steam generation and which receives theproducts of the combusted fuels from the combustion chamber to combine with the steamgenerated in the ex pansion chamber to form an energy medium, means for controlling the fuel lines to increase or decrease the pressure in the plant, 'and means for controlling thewater conducting means to control the temperature of the energy medium.

The invention further aims to provide,- in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

steam gener- 55 :ating plant which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily assembled, thoroughly efcient in its use, conveniently controlled and comparatively inexpensive t build.

Embodying. the aims aforesaid and others which may directly or indirectly hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and shown in the accompanyng drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be` understood that changes, variations and modications may be resorted to which fall withinthe scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a steam generating plant, in` accordance with this invention showing the adaptation thereof with a steam turbine,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the plant, l

`Figures 3,4 and 5 are sections` respectively on lines 3 3, 4 4 and 5 5 Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a section `on line 6 6 Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a bottom plan ofthe burner tube with the outlet plate of the latter omitted,

Figure 8 is a top plan of the outlet plate of the burner tube,

Figure 9 is a section on line 9 9 Figure 1,

Figure 10`is a sectional detail illustrating the water pressure tank interposed in the water conducting means,

Figure 11 is a section on line l5 l5 Figure l,

Figure 12 is a sectional detail'of the lower portion of the hydrogen supply line.

The plant includes a generator structure of spherical contour, an extension 2| for saidstructure forming a combined outlet and energy medium directing means, a combined burner and coupling structure 22, a water injector structure 23, a water conducting or supply line 24 having interposed therein a pressure tank 25 for the water, a water tank 23, a water pump 21, a thermo-couple 28 to register the operating temperature, a return line 29 leading to the water tank 26, a fuel tank 39 for oxygen, a fuel tank 3l for hydrogen, an oxygen -supply line 32 leading from tank 3u, a hydrogen supply line 33 leading from tank 3l, a controlling throttle 34 common to and interposed in the lines 32, 33, a controlling throttle 35 for the line 24, one or more spark plugs 36, and a steam pressure gage 31.

The structure 20 includes a hollow spherical outer metallic housing 38 formed of a pairlof oppositely disposed flanged superimposed semispherical sections 35, l5 detachably connected together, a spherical expansion chamber forming element il of metallic material consisting of a pair of oppositely disposed flanged superimposed semi-spherical sections d2, i3 detachably connected together, and a hollow spherical casting lil forming a combustion chamber G5. The chamber provided by the element 4I is indicated at 46. The casting il is suspended in element 4I in spaced relation to the inner face of the latter. The element lll is suspended in housing 38 in spaced relation to the inner face of the latter. A packing 41 of heat insulating material is interposed between housing 38 and element 4l. The width of the space between the housing 33 and element il is greater than the width of the space between element 4l and casting 44. The housing 38, element 4l and casting @il are disposed in co-axial relation.

The housing 3S is formed with a pair of diametrically disposed openings 51a, 48 at the centers of the sections 39, l0 respectively.

The element ll is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed openings 59,55 at the cen ters of the sections 42, 43. The wall of the opening lil is formed with an annular shoulder 5|. The element 4l has formed integral with the bottom thereof the upper tubular portion 52 of the extension ZI. The wall of portion 52 aligns with the wall of the opening t9 and extends through o the packing 41, through the opening 48 and depends from the section 45 of housing 38. The top of element il is provided with an annular boss 53 having its inner face forming an upward continuation of the wall of opening 49. The casting M centrally of its top is formed with a threaded opening an upstanding tubular extension 55 integral at its lower end with the periphery of the casting and surrounding in spaced relation the opening 5d. The extension 55 constitutes a suspension for the casting and it is formed intermediate its ends with an annular peripheral shoulder 55. The casting lll is provided with circumferentially extending superposed spaced rows of spaced openings 51 constituting outlets for the products oi combustion from the combustion chamber 45. The openings 51 communicate with the expansion chamber 46. The rows of openings 51 consist of an upper pair of rows, a lower pair of rows and a central row. The latter is disposed at the horizontal center of the casting dit. The rows of the upper pair are horizontally disposed and arranged in proximity to the top of the casting 45. The rows of the lower pair are horizontally disposed and arranged in proximity to the bottom of the casting 34. The casting 44 has the portions thereof between the central row and the lower upper row and the upper lower row imperiorate. The bottom of the casting 44 is imperforate. The extension 55 extends upwardly through opening @El and boss 53 to above the latter, the shoulders 5l, 55 abut, a nut '53 threadedly engages with the upper end of said extension 55 and binds against the top surface of boss 53 whereby the element lll and casting @il are clamped together, and with the casting suspended in the chamber l5 in spaced relation to the wall of the latter.

The combined burner and coupling structure 22 is anchored at its inner end to the wall of the opening 54 and extends from casting M, up through respectively the extension 55, packing 41, opening 1 and to a point above the latter. The structure 22 includes an outer tubular member 55 formed at its inner end with an inwardly disposed annular flange having a beveled inner side surface 6l to provide a tapered opening 62. The flange 65 also provides an annular seat or shoulder 63. `The outer periphery of member 59 at the lower terminal portion thereof its tapered and threaded. The wall of opening 54 is also flared and it coacts with the ilared portion aforesaid of the member 59 for connecting the latter and the casting together. The member 5G has an upper oiset portion 6ft, internal annular beveled seat 65 and internal threads 65 on portion 55. The structure 22 includes an inner tubular member 61 of greater length than the member 55. The member G1 has its inner portion 53 of reduced outer diameter with respect to the outer portion 59 thereof. The junction of said portions 53, 69 provides the member 61 intermediate its ends with an annular shoulder 15 on its outer periphery. The portion 5! is formed, intermediate its ends with a lateral opening 1l extending from its inner to its outer periphery,`

and a lateral internally threaded coupling coliar 12 integral at its inner end with the outer periphery thereof. The inner end of collar 12 surrounds the outer end of opening 1l in spaced relation. The inner face of collar 12 flares from its inner to its outer end. The portion 69 adjacent its outer end is formed with an internal annular shoulder 13. The portion 69 has the inner end of its outer periphery threaded, as at 15.

The structure 22 includes an outlet plate 16 for one of the fuels. The plate 'l5 is in the form of a circular disc 11 formed with an axial opening 18 surrounded in spaced relation by a circular row of spaced openings 19. The structure 22 also includes a pair of tapered threaded coupling plugs 80, 8l for a purpose to be referred to and which also provide closures respectively for the outer ends of member 51 and the collar. 12. When the coupling plugs are in active position packing means 82 are interposed between the heads of the plugs and the member S1 and collar 12. The plugs 85, 8l are formed with axial bores 83, 84 respectively which are flared at their inner end portions, as at 85.

When the structure 22 is set up the member 59 is connected to the casting 44 and extends outwardly beyond the element l. The plate 15 is then positioned on the shoulder 53. An annular packing 86 is then positioned on the seat or shoulder 65. The member 61 is then extended into the member 59 to an extent whereby the inner end of portion 58 will bind against the marginal portion of the upper face of plate 15. The binding action on plate 15 will be had by screwing member 61 into member 59, by the coaction'of the threads 66, 15. As the member 61 moves inwardly relative to the member 59 the packing 86 will be compressed whereby the members 59, G1, packing and plate 15 will be in the position as shown in Figure 5. The flange 50 and plate 16 constitute portions of the tip of the burner.

The extension 2l for the generator structure 2i) is illustrated by way of example for use in connection with a steam turbine 81 which preferably will be'of the vane type. As before stated the extension 2| forms a combined outlet and energy medium directing means, and its purpose is to supply such medium to the intake end or head of turbine 81. rIhe extension not only includes the tubular portion 52 aforesaid which depends from element il and housing 38, but also a tubular branch 88 and an energy medium conductor in the form of a hollow annulus 89 provided on one side with a series of inclined spaced directing nozzles 90 flanged at their outer ends. The annulus includes tubular sections 9| of like form and of segmental contour. -Two of the said sections are connected together by the head of an inverted T-coupler 92. The stem of the coupler 82 is attached to the branch 83, and the latter is connected to the lower end of the portion 52. VEach of the sections 9| has formed integral with one side lengthwise thereof an outwardly extending inclined directing nozzle i90. The nozzles 90 are inclined in a like manner. Two of the sections 9| are connected together by the coupler 92 and the others of the said sections are connected together by coupling sleeves or 'collars 93. The coupler 92 and sleeves 93, in connection with the section `9| provide the annulus 89. The latter is arranged in juxtaposition to the intake endof head 94 of the stator 95 `ofthe turbine 81. The head 94 may be formed with spaced inclined intakes, not shown for the energy medium. Opening into and leading from` each intake, as well as being integral with the head 94 is an inclined injector 91, which is coupled at its outer end, by the means 98 to the outer end of a nozzle 99. The exhaust end or head of the turbine 81 is designated |90 and is provided with outlets which open into a hollow annular exhaust manifold |02 from which leads the return pipe 29 to the tank 26.

`Theshaft of turbine 81 is indi-cated at !03 and it extends, as at |04, from the turbine heads |00, 94 respectively. The extended portion |04 of shaft |03 is employed for transmitting power. The extended portion |05 carries a drive |06 for the pump 21. The connection between drive |06 and pump 21 is indicated at |01. The pump21 communicates with the tank 26 by the intake pipe |08 which opens into the tank 25. The latterhas a removable lid |09 for access thereto. l

The water ejector structure 23 includes a horizontally disposed hollow annulus ||0 arranged above and in concentric relation to the section 39 of housing 38. The annulus ||0 in its inner side is formed with spaced openings Integral with theinner side of the annulus ||0 are inwardly extending downwardly inclined internally threaded short sleeves 2 which com- `municate at their inner ends with the openings Connected to each sleeve ||2 isa water nozzle 3 of the vaporizing type which extends in the same plane as the plane of the sleeve to which it is attached. The nozzles 3 have mounted on their upper end terminal portions couplers ||4 in the form of flanged peripherally threaded plugs which engage with Vthe threads of the sleeve. 'I'he nozzles at their upper ends are flared, as at H5. The nozzles ||3 extend respectively `through the section 39 ofhousing 38 and the packing 41 and threadedly engage at their inner ends with the threaded walls of the openings ||6 formed in the section 42 of the element 4|. The nozzles I3 open into the chamber 46 and direct the water vapor against the casting 44 to convert the water into steam. The products of combustion from chamber 45 admix with the steam to superheat it and to form the energy medium. The annulus H9 is provided on its `outer side with a laterally disposed internally threaded water intake ||1. The nozzles 3 form a supporting means for the annulus ||0.

'I'he water conducting or supply line 24 is formed of an upper and a lower section ||8, ||9

, proximity tothe top of The thermo-couple 28 extends through the vertical part respectivelydisposed inendwise spaced relation. The section ||8 has an angularly disposed upper terminal portion |20 which opens into and is connected to the intake ||1. The section H9 has an angularly disposed lower terminal por` tion |2| which is connected to and opens into the pump 21. The throttle 35 for the water line 24 is interposed in the section H8. The water pressure tank 25 acts as a coupling means between the sections ||8, ||9 of line 24, it is of hollow spherical contour and formed with a pair of diametrically disposed ure 14). The opening |22 is arranged centrally of the top and the opening |23 centrally of the bottom of 'tank 25. The walls of the openings |22, |23 are threaded.` 'I'he tank 25 at its top and bottom is formed with internally threaded annulus bosses |24, |25 respectively having their inner faces forming upward and downward continuations of the walls of openings |22, |23 respectively. 'Ihe section ||8 of line 24 extends into the tank 25 from the top of the latter and above its lower end is formed with threads |29 for engagement with the threads of opening |22 and boss |24. 'Ihe upper end of section ||9 of line 24 has peripheral threads |21 which engage with the threads of opening |23 and boss |25. The throttle 35 is arranged in section H9 in tank 25.

housing section 49, the packing 41 and the section 43 of element 4| into the chamber 49. The steam pressure gage 39 extends through the housing section 48, the packing 41 and has its inner end anchored in a threaded opening |23 formed on the section 43 of element 4|.

The oxygen supply line 32 extends' frornthe tank 3G and communicates with the opening 1| formed in the outer portion 59 of the outer tubular member 61 of the structure 22. The .line 32 is coupled to the structure 22 by the plug 8|, and in proximity to the upper end of tank 30 it is formed with a cutoi |29. The hydrogen supply line 33 extends from the tank 3| and includes a |30 which passes down through the tubular member 61, the opening 18 in disc 11, and into the upper portion of the combustion chamber 45. The lower end of the part |30 is closed, and such part in proximity to its closed lower end is provided with radially disposed outlets |3| arranged below the disc 11 and opening into the chamber 45. That portion of the part |30 of a line 33 arranged below the disc 'l1 forms the remaining portion of the burner tip. The part |30 passes through the closure plug 80 for the upper end of the member 51. a Cut-olf |32 The line 33 is formed with in proximity to the upper end of tank 3|. The throttle 34 which is common to the lines 32, 33 consists of a pair of simultaneously operable connected together vertically aligned valve structures |33, |34 interposed in the lines 32, 33 respectively above the cutoff |29, |32. The spark plug 36 extends through the housing section 39, vpacking; 41, the section 42 of element 4|, chamber 4B and body of casting 44 into chamber 45.

In the generator structure, the pressure is di rectly obtained through expansionv of the fuel gases, and to obtain the eliiciency that is possible with this type of steam generator, the relativity of the burner area should coincide to the area of the directing nozzles 99 which should be of `a dimension that would relieve the pressure within the generator, just prior to this pressure becoming equal to the injected fuel pressure.

openings |22, |23 (Fig-v A simple rule that will obtain 6 to 8 pounds diierence in pressure, when using the gases hydrogen and oxygen as fuel, is to have the total area of the burner orifices, equal or slightly larger than the area of the directing nozzles. This pressure diierence does not Vary whether operating at 20 pounds or 100 pounds pressure, the pressure within the generator can be increased or decreased almost instantly by opening or closing the throttle on the fuel lines.

The temperature of the energy medium is determined by the quantity of water introduced into the expansion chamber, the water is injected under pump pressure through Vaporizers at about 25 pounds higher pressure than the pressure Within the generator. The water vapor coming in Contact with the hot surface of the combustion chamber, is instantly transformed into steam, this steam is then sprayed with the products of combustion practically absorbing the total heat re f leased through combustion of the fuel. The ternperature of the medium is as readily governed by the throttle on the water line, as the pressure is governed by the fuel injected. The response on both pressure and temperature when operating the Valves is almost instantaneous.

The pressure within this plant is produced through combustion of the fuel gases.

The temperature of the energy medium is determined by the quantity of water injected into the chamber, this manner of steam generation eliminates the use of a boiler in the production of steam. Decreases the weight of the turbine or engine per H. P. and without undue weight of metal enables the turbine or engine to operate at high pressure in the elevated temperatures.

Thereby, through conservation of heat in the greater elasticity of the energy medium, produces a steam engine of great thermo-efficiency.

Preferably the combined burner and coupling structure 22, the part I3!! of line the element CII 4l and the casting G4 will be formed of a nickel chrome alloy or of any suitable alloy possessing unusual durability against heat.

What I claim is:

In a steam generator an outer'hollow casting forming an expansion chamber of spherical form, an inner hollow casting forming a combustion chamber of spherical form suspended in and spaced equidistant throughout from the wall .of the expansion chamber, means for suspending the inner casting from the outer casting, the wall of said combustion chamber being formed with circumferential extending superposed spacedrows'of spaced outlet openings opening into the expansion chamber, one of said rows being arranged in proximity to the top and another in proximiti7 to the bottom of the wall of` the combustion chamber. that part of the wall of the combustion chamber above said upper row of openings being formed centrally with a threaded opening, that part of the wall of said combustion chamber below the lower row of openings being imperforate, a hollow circular element disposed above and coaXially arranged with said chambers for receiving water, a series of spaced upstanding inwardly inclined ejector nozzles leading from said element connected to the wall of and opening into said expansion chamber for directing water against the wall of the combustion chamber for Vaporizing the water, said nozzles providing a supporting means for said element, means connected to said threaded opening for simultaneously supplying fuel to said combustion chamber, a controllable water supply means opening into said element, igniting means within the combustion chamber for combusting the fuel supplied to such chamber, and a combined outlet and energy medium directing means leading from said expansion chamber and aligned with the imperforate part of the bottom of the wall of the combustion chamber.

THOMAS J. REES. 

